Russell Wilson's Next Contract

[Born2Steel]

Wilson's recent play has given the Steelers more leverage than they had. Unless he flips a switch and lights the Ravens up, he's unlikely to get many offers. Or are least long term big $$$ offers. He's gonna get classified as a guy who can't beat good teams any longer.

Wilson will likely have to decide if he wants to roll the dice on potentially being a backup on a playoff team or a starter on some trash team looking to slow okay their prized new draft pick.

To me (and this is likely my biased perspective) Fields will be the more expensive option to sign. Some team aside from the Steelers is going to look at their options, Fields age and physical gifts, and decide that they'd rather have Fields than the 4th QB off the board in a poor class.

And the Steelers will have to do the same calculus. How realistic is it that Fields hits his stratospheric ceiling? And how much do they want to pay to be the ones holding that lottery ticket?

I have no idea what that answer is. All I know is that if I was running a team, I'd rather have Fields than Wilson. And it's not close based on what we currently know.

I think the same thing. I was not even considering bringing Russ back when talking about leverage. I was thinking about moving upward and onward.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Likely, Russ' final game coming up.

I honestly dont think so. I think Tomlin is going to push to extend Russ a contract. Russ is a Virginia guy with track record of success and Tomlin gets starry eyed for guys like that from the area where he grew up (Mike Vick, Darrius Heyward-Bey, etc).

We will see, but I think we sell them prioritize Russ over Fields, although I think rolling with a 36 year old guy with declining ability is not the move to make.

[Born2Steel]

I honestly dont think so. I think Tomlin is going to push to extend Russ a contract. Russ is a Virginia guy with track record of success and Tomlin gets starry eyed for guys like that from the area where he grew up (Mike Vick, Darrius Heyward-Bey, etc).

We will see, but I think we sell them prioritize Russ over Fields, although I think rolling with a 36 year old guy with declining ability is not the move to make.

I hope not. But, we will see.

[Mojouw]

I think the same thing. I was not even considering bringing Russ back when talking about leverage. I was thinking about moving upward and onward.

Got it.

Like it or not, the Steelers will be in the news daily as the QB carousel starts spinning.

And I figure a couple coaches leavevas well.

It's gonna be a fun time.

[Born2Steel]

Got it.

Like it or not, the Steelers will be in the news daily as the QB carousel starts spinning.

And I figure a couple coaches leavevas well.

It's gonna be a fun time.

I don't think our defense has been bad. Certainly not as bad as some have complained that is. BUT...if we made a change at DC, I would be all in on hiring Eberflus. He crashed and burned as a HC but he is an established and successful DC.

[steelcityboyz]

I don't think our defense has been bad. Certainly not as bad as some have complained that is. BUT...if we made a change at DC, I would be all in on hiring Eberflus. He crashed and burned as a HC but he is an established and successful DC.

We def need a change at DC

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I don't think our defense has been bad. Certainly not as bad as some have complained that is. BUT...if we made a change at DC, I would be all in on hiring Eberflus. He crashed and burned as a HC but he is an established and successful DC.

I agree, the Defense is not bad and I dont think that Austin is the problem. Its been depth, health and being on the field a lot because the Offense wasnt productive, but at the core I think the Defensive line needs upgrading.

We can say that 35 year old Cam Heyward is still a pro bowler, but he needs rotational players in for him more at this age and Loudermilk, Lowry are not good. Benton seemed less impactful than last season and if Ogunjobi isnt healthy then its not a good front 3. Bengals revamped O line pushed them around at times where Herbert was getting 2-4 yards before being contacted.

Similarly, I think its time to replace Pat Meyer. Most D lines are walking back our IOL like Frazier, Seumalo, McCormick into the QB and collapsing the pocket, while opposition is maintaining a pocket. With the O line talent, they need to be performing better and I am for a change there. If you want a kick ass offense, you need a kick ass O line. The guys are there, but the performance is not.

[Born2Steel]

I agree, the Defense is not bad and I dont think that Austin is the problem. Its been depth, health and being on the field a lot because the Offense wasnt productive, but at the core I think the Defensive line needs upgrading.

We can say that 35 year old Cam Heyward is still a pro bowler, but he needs rotational players in for him more at this age and Loudermilk, Lowry are not good. Benton seemed less impactful than last season and if Ogunjobi isnt healthy then its not a good front 3. Bengals revamped O line pushed them around at times where Herbert was getting 2-4 yards before being contacted.

Similarly, I think its time to replace Pat Meyer. Most D lines are walking back our IOL like Frazier, Seumalo, McCormick into the QB and collapsing the pocket, while opposition is maintaining a pocket. With the O line talent, they need to be performing better and I am for a change there. If you want a kick ass offense, you need a kick ass O line. The guys are there, but the performance is not.

Young talented OL and a240lb RB. We need to be able to ground and pound better. Pass blocking will come along faster if we can establish some dominance in the run game first.

[Mojouw]

I agree, the Defense is not bad and I dont think that Austin is the problem. Its been depth, health and being on the field a lot because the Offense wasnt productive, but at the core I think the Defensive line needs upgrading.

We can say that 35 year old Cam Heyward is still a pro bowler, but he needs rotational players in for him more at this age and Loudermilk, Lowry are not good. Benton seemed less impactful than last season and if Ogunjobi isnt healthy then its not a good front 3. Bengals revamped O line pushed them around at times where Herbert was getting 2-4 yards before being contacted.

Similarly, I think its time to replace Pat Meyer. Most D lines are walking back our IOL like Frazier, Seumalo, McCormick into the QB and collapsing the pocket, while opposition is maintaining a pocket. With the O line talent, they need to be performing better and I am for a change there. If you want a kick ass offense, you need a kick ass O line. The guys are there, but the performance is not.

Yes. That's a sound plan. I suspect that since they've done DB, LB, and OL that ty he DL is next.

[Born2Steel]

Logan Lee 6'5"-285
Keanu Benton 6'4"-309
Breiden Fehoko 6'3"-300

We have been making attempts with the DL. Add Leal and Loudermilk and the FA acquisitions, it has been a priority.

[Mojouw]

Logan Lee 6'5"-285
Keanu Benton 6'4"-309
Breiden Fehoko 6'3"-300

We have been making attempts with the DL. Add Leal and Loudermilk and the FA acquisitions, it has been a priority.

I think DE gets a splashy FA signing and a top 3 draft pick.

[Mojouw]

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/ku...-see-a-scheme/

Kurt Warner on Wilson. Basically says there is no fancy scheme answer. There is no adjustment. Wilson is just flat out laying eggs right now. Backs up what many of us saw last night. Wilson looked totally befuddled by the Bengals defense. And I do not believe they were doing super advanced stuff.

Unless Russell Wilson pulls his head out of his hindquarters and plays like a guy who has seen a thing or two before in the NFL...the Steelers are sunk. Honestly, unless someone can show me different or help me understand how the offense as a whole has dragged Wilson down (which I am willing to believe BTW) -- I think Danger Russ needs to stop tarnishing his legacy and hang 'em up.

[oneforthetoe]

We will see what happens but definitely in the keep Fields camp now. Russ's decision making was terrible last night, and that aspect of his game is supposed to make up for deteriorating physical play. I will say this though, if they do sign Russ because they don't see it in Fields or he gets a big offer elsewhere, I don't think that necessarily sets us back that far. I assume any contract Russ sign would be somewhat reasonable and would hardly preclude us from searching for a young QB in the next few drafts.

But Art when calls me for advice like he does every year I will tell him to sign Fields.

[Rotorhead]

What do you all think of ARod replacing Russ? He was even talking about mentoring a young QB draftee and teaching him the ropes. It could possibly be his last season as a Jet. I know his physical tools are in decline (just like Russ) but he started playing better later in the season and I think he came back too soon from the achilles injury. He is still accurate and doesn’t make stupid decisions like we are suffering with Russ.

I just don’t think Fields is going to be better, he is athletic, but still hasn’t put together how to be an NFL QB yet, and I just don’t see it happening.

I don’t know who else will be available, and don’t know if any QBs we could draft in the 20’s would be any better right now, not that it matters if we can’t get an OC that can actually call a game.

[86WARD]

If we are looking at imaginary scenarios that have possibilities, I’m giving up picks and mid players to get Herbert.

Hard pass on ARod and that circus.

[Steeler-in-west]

Whoever they bring in at Qb, they have to see if Fantenu works at LT, otherwise they may need help there. In addition, get a viable no 2 receiver, maybe another if Pickens cant get his head straight. Probably need a faster RB to pair with Warren. Najee may not be the right fit.

a number of question marks on O.

[BlackAndGold]

This is why they kept Ben until the very end. Being in QB hell is awful. I think they take one in the draft now, sometime after round 2.

[Rotorhead]

This is why they kept Ben until the very end. Being in QB hell is awful. I think they take one in the draft now, sometime after round 2.

Didn’t we try that with a poor QB class in KP? I don’t see a point in drafting a QB unless he will be the next franchise QB, especially with our OC issues and OL issues.

[pczach]

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/ku...-see-a-scheme/

Kurt Warner on Wilson. Basically says there is no fancy scheme answer. There is no adjustment. Wilson is just flat out laying eggs right now. Backs up what many of us saw last night. Wilson looked totally befuddled by the Bengals defense. And I do not believe they were doing super advanced stuff.

Unless Russell Wilson pulls his head out of his hindquarters and plays like a guy who has seen a thing or two before in the NFL...the Steelers are sunk. Honestly, unless someone can show me different or help me understand how the offense as a whole has dragged Wilson down (which I am willing to believe BTW) -- I think Danger Russ needs to stop tarnishing his legacy and hang 'em up.

Warner is seeing what I saw and is saying most of what we talked about during the game. Wilson just looks lost and has not found an answer to the 2 high safety shell defenses that teams have been throwing at them. He will not stay in the pocket and take those intermediate routes. Teams have openly said that Wilson only looks deep or dumps it off. Aikman said the same thing during the game last night. That's damning when it is so obvious to anyone watching that he actively avoids much of the field. I'm actually surprised that Aikman is willing to say that out loud on national television, but I am happy he is being honest and not trying to protect Wilson. I was happy to see them show the opposing defensive coach saying it to the team on Hard Knocks.

I don't want this to go down a rabbit hole, but Wilson is doing much of what everyone bitched about with Pickett, only he has over a decade and a half of experience that should give him answers out there on the field. Sadly, it has not. He leaves the pocket when the protection is good. He runs right into the pass rush all the time because he doesn't want to stay in the pocket. Teams have been playing the shell defenses to take the deep ball away, and he holds the ball and takes sacks. Even when he dumps it off, it isn't on time in a progression. It is a last second heave that usually has a defender hitting the back behind the line of scrimmage.

The numbers in the last four games are worse than any stretch with Pickett and Canada....and that was unwatchable.

Here's another article breaking down how bad the numbers are over the last 4 games. IT's even worse than you probably think. They haven't led for a single second of even one of these games. Freaking sad.

https://steelersnow.com/inside-the-n...-game-drought/

[Born2Steel]

Good players come out of weak classes. Don't just throw away trying to draft the next franchise QB because the 'experts' don't see a sure fire guy.

I like Will Howard in this draft. I don't know if I like him enough to take on the 1st, but in the second, sure. You must take chances. A great team without a QB is only a good team.

Riley Leonard, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart, guys not ranked as high as Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders but will probably still get drafted in the first 3 rounds. Because QBs are must haves.

[BlackAndGold]

Didn’t we try that with a poor QB class in KP? I don’t see a point in drafting a QB unless he will be the next franchise QB, especially with our OC issues and OL issues.

It's not ideal but it's the reality where this team is in right now. They have to take a shot in the dark for a QB from here on out, probably won't work but that's how it goes until you get some luck.

[Mojouw]

Warner is seeing what I saw and is saying most of what we talked about during the game. Wilson just looks lost and has not found an answer to the 2 high safety shell defenses that teams have been throwing at them. He will not stay in the pocket and take those intermediate routes. Teams have openly said that Wilson only looks deep or dumps it off. Aikman said the same thing during the game last night. That's damning when it is so obvious to anyone watching that he actively avoids much of the field. I'm actually surprised that Aikman is willing to say that out loud on national television, but I am happy he is being honest and not trying to protect Wilson. I was happy to see them show the opposing defensive coach saying it to the team on Hard Knocks.

I don't want this to go down a rabbit hole, but Wilson is doing much of what everyone bitched about with Pickett, only he has over a decade and a half of experience that should give him answers out there on the field. Sadly, it has not. He leaves the pocket when the protection is good. He runs right into the pass rush all the time because he doesn't want to stay in the pocket. Teams have been playing the shell defenses to take the deep ball away, and he holds the ball and takes sacks. Even when he dumps it off, it isn't on time in a progression. It is a last second heave that usually has a defender hitting the back behind the line of scrimmage.

The numbers in the last four games are worse than any stretch with Pickett and Canada....and that was unwatchable.

Here's another article breaking down how bad the numbers are over the last 4 games. IT's even worse than you probably think. They haven't led for a single second of even one of these games. Freaking sad.

https://steelersnow.com/inside-the-n...-game-drought/

None of it is surprising.

3/4 of the league runs some sort of two high whatever as organizations have all rushed to copy something within shouting distance of "Fangio".

You have to either run them out of it or kill them underneath to force one of those safeties to come down.

From what my uneducated and inexperienced eye can see; Smith knows this and tries to move the safeties with running and in breaking short-intermediate routes that his QB just ignores.

I've never been all that high on Wilson working out. I've got no problem admitting I was extremely excited when he started attacking deep at a record pace. Like many, I wondered what his adjustment would be when defense focused on taking the moon all away. I really didn't think it would be totally melting down. I mean Wilson made so many basic mistakes on that finsl drive that it looks to me like he's lost the plot completely. I can't remember the last time I saw a veteran QB with his track record just fall apart like that.

I've also got no issue saying Wilson looks as bad as Pickett. He does.

I think the extreme overreacting when Wilson won some games and the entire NFL world lost their minds and got way out over their skis with tagging the Steelers as a SB contender was ridiculously out of touch. Just as the total overreacting now to the Steelers being outclassed by superior teams during a brutal closing stretch is more than a bit silly.

The Steelers made a no cost bet on a dangerously flawed aging former star. It is a bet that NFL teams in need of immediate QB help make all the time (Atlanta-Cousins, Colts-Rivers, Jets-Rodgers, Teams-Favre, and the list goes on). Fortunately for the Steelers, it cost them exactly diddly squat and impacted any future roster priorities not at all.

Unless one wanted the team to "tank for Ward" or some such nonsense, they still did the "best" plan they could've for 2024.

Unfortunately, Wilson came undone in real time.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Warner is seeing what I saw and is saying most of what we talked about during the game. Wilson just looks lost and has not found an answer to the 2 high safety shell defenses that teams have been throwing at them. He will not stay in the pocket and take those intermediate routes. Teams have openly said that Wilson only looks deep or dumps it off. Aikman said the same thing during the game last night. That's damning when it is so obvious to anyone watching that he actively avoids much of the field. I'm actually surprised that Aikman is willing to say that out loud on national television, but I am happy he is being honest and not trying to protect Wilson. I was happy to see them show the opposing defensive coach saying it to the team on Hard Knocks.

I don't want this to go down a rabbit hole, but Wilson is doing much of what everyone bitched about with Pickett, only he has over a decade and a half of experience that should give him answers out there on the field. Sadly, it has not. He leaves the pocket when the protection is good. He runs right into the pass rush all the time because he doesn't want to stay in the pocket. Teams have been playing the shell defenses to take the deep ball away, and he holds the ball and takes sacks. Even when he dumps it off, it isn't on time in a progression. It is a last second heave that usually has a defender hitting the back behind the line of scrimmage.

The numbers in the last four games are worse than any stretch with Pickett and Canada....and that was unwatchable.

Here's another article breaking down how bad the numbers are over the last 4 games. IT's even worse than you probably think. They haven't led for a single second of even one of these games. Freaking sad.

https://steelersnow.com/inside-the-n...-game-drought/

I knew I read a poster on here before the game saying what Aikman said, so credit goes to you. Russ has been figured out and resorting to his 1st bad season in Denver. How long does Tomlin let him play Saturday before putting Fields in is the question now?

[Steeler-in-west]

Russ has always been at a disadvantage because hes smaller. If people see him bailing a clean pocket its probably because hes looking for a better view downfield. Its not because he forgot how to read defenses. It may also be because his body is taking a beating and it may be a little harder to recover week to week. And he may not be as eager to get hit. Could be a combination of both. KP is a different matter, he was in a mess of an offense, and the o line was worse than it is now

[Rotorhead]

None of it is surprising.

3/4 of the league runs some sort of two high whatever as organizations have all rushed to copy something within shouting distance of "Fangio".

You have to either run them out of it or kill them underneath to force one of those safeties to come down.

From what my uneducated and inexperienced eye can see; Smith knows this and tries to move the safeties with running and in breaking short-intermediate routes that his QB just ignores.

I've never been all that high on Wilson working out. I've got no problem admitting I was extremely excited when he started attacking deep at a record pace. Like many, I wondered what his adjustment would be when defense focused on taking the moon all away. I really didn't think it would be totally melting down. I mean Wilson made so many basic mistakes on that finsl drive that it looks to me like he's lost the plot completely. I can't remember the last time I saw a veteran QB with his track record just fall apart like that.

I've also got no issue saying Wilson looks as bad as Pickett. He does.

I think the extreme overreacting when Wilson won some games and the entire NFL world lost their minds and got way out over their skis with tagging the Steelers as a SB contender was ridiculously out of touch. Just as the total overreacting now to the Steelers being outclassed by superior teams during a brutal closing stretch is more than a bit silly.

The Steelers made a no cost bet on a dangerously flawed aging former star. It is a bet that NFL teams in need of immediate QB help make all the time (Atlanta-Cousins, Colts-Rivers, Jets-Rodgers, Teams-Favre, and the list goes on). Fortunately for the Steelers, it cost them exactly diddly squat and impacted any future roster priorities not at all.

Unless one wanted the team to "tank for Ward" or some such nonsense, they still did the "best" plan they could've for 2024.

Unfortunately, Wilson came undone in real time.

Can’t argue with anything here, the only issue is what to do moving forward. I know some here are keen on Fields, but he is now more than a career backup in my eyes. He hasn’t shown anything resembling a QB his entire NFL career and it’s not like we have a QB coach or OC to work with him. So what then? Fix the OL and get another good WR for some random castoff next season? Give Russ a contract (which is what I think Tomlin will push for) and hope for the best? It is frustrating cause we are wasting the prime years of TJ and Minkah and maybe Cam has another great year or 2 left to waste.

[Mojouw]

Can’t argue with anything here, the only issue is what to do moving forward. I know some here are keen on Fields, but he is now more than a career backup in my eyes. He hasn’t shown anything resembling a QB his entire NFL career and it’s not like we have a QB coach or OC to work with him. So what then? Fix the OL and get another good WR for some random castoff next season? Give Russ a contract (which is what I think Tomlin will push for) and hope for the best? It is frustrating cause we are wasting the prime years of TJ and Minkah and maybe Cam has another great year or 2 left to waste.

I have no idea what the right move is.

I do know I'd rather have Fields for 2025 than the 5 through 8th QB off the board - assuming the usual run on QBs takes place. But it isn't like my track record on any of this is anything but poor.

Past that? They're stuck like every other team looking for the answer at QB.

[Edman]

Finding a quarterback is hard. Finding a quarterback with below the line coaching is even harder. Good luck getting any mileage out of any QB when the most advice you can ever give them is "Don't turn the ball over" and "Don't kill us". Well, that's well and good, but sooner or later your quarterback has to do more than that and has to take risks. We're trying to be the 90's Steelers but we're really bad at it.

[Voice of Reason]

I have no idea what that answer is. All I know is that if I was running a team, I'd rather have Fields than Wilson. And it's not close based on what we currently know.

I agree.

[Voice of Reason]

The Steelers made a no cost bet on a dangerously flawed aging former star. It is a bet that NFL teams in need of immediate QB help make all the time (Atlanta-Cousins, Colts-Rivers, Jets-Rodgers, Teams-Favre, and the list goes on). Fortunately for the Steelers, it cost them exactly diddly squat and impacted any future roster priorities not at all.

It cost them Kenny Pickett.

[86WARD]

I have no idea what the right move is.

I do know I'd rather have Fields for 2025 than the 5 through 8th QB off the board - assuming the usual run on QBs takes place. But it isn't like my track record on any of this is anything but poor.

Past that? They're stuck like every other team looking for the answer at QB.

When they only win 5 games next season, they’ll be in the running for Arch Manning…they should’ve kept Kenny…that would’ve guaranteed that two of those wins turn to losses and a 3 win season!